Central Region Venturing Area 3 Newsletter - October 2013

Central Region Area 3 Venturing Newsletter O c to b er

2 01 3

P r ep ar ed By: T h e Ar ea 3

Area 3 Venturing Conference Mark you calendars! The Area 3 Venturing Conference will be upon us before we know it.

Inside Upcoming Events

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Fall Fun Rally in Review

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Area T-Shirts

4

President’s/ Boatswain’s Corner

5 & 6

Webinar Schedule

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This annual conference provides Crews and Councils with the tools they need in order to be successful. It gives youth the leadership experience they need to move forward with a great program and stimulate membership growth and retention. Youth have the opportunity to learn new tactics for improving their Venturing experience as well as share personal experiences form their own areas. It is all possible through this youth gathering.

The conference will take place January 10-11, 2014 with the majority of the conference taking place on Saturday the 11th and VLST and ILSC occurring on Friday night. It is open to any Venturers, Sea Scouts, Explorers, and adults wishing to participate.

This year there will be courses offered within the following treks:

Area 3 Venturing Contacts

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Area 3 Facebook Groups

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-The New Venturing -High Adventure Skills -Adventures Beyond Councils -Sea Scouting -Scouting Professionals Only -Kodiak Page 1

Upcoming Calendar of Events for Area 3 October 15th: Webinar: Council Standards of Venturing Excellence and Venturing Leadership Awards November 9th: Area 3 Program Conference (Normal, IL) November 19th: Webinar: Marketing and Recruiting for Venturing January 10th-11th: Area 3 Venturing Conference (Normal, IL) April 25th-27th/May 16th-18th: Powder Horn Course (St. Louis)

CR Area 3 Program Conference Venturers love

attending events

The 3rd annual Area 3 Program Conference is happening November 9th in Normal, IL at Heartland Community College. We will be offering four Venturing sessions that day.  What is Sea Scouting?  The New Venturing– Venturing program changes  Putting the Wow into Your Program  Why Venturing Should be a Part of Your Scouting Family

to meet new friends and enjoy activities that are out of the box and over the top.

Use your imagination for creative events this year to recruit new

More information is available at: http://www.area3scouting.org/2013-index.html

Powder Horn: April 25-27 & May 9-11 Powder Horn is a high adventure resource management course designed to motivate and prepare adult Venturing leaders to support the Ranger award.

Boy Scout leaders are also welcome to participate in Powder Horn. Boy Scout leaders with a specific interest would be those working with a troop's older boy program. This course will give all participants an opportunity to experience the Ranger program themselves as if they were the Venturing youth. Powder Horn is designed to expose the Venturing leader to activities and resources necessary to operate a successful Venturing Ranger program in several ways.

More information is at www.powderhornstl.org.

members and retain your existing members.

Got An Event?

Does your Council have an event they’d like to promote? Area 3 can help!

Email Maddy Kangas as mkangas2@illinois.edu with information about your event or upload submissions to the Central Region calendar at http:// www.crventuring.org/event_submission.php Page 2

Fall Fun Rally 2013!

If you weren't at the Fantastic Fortieth Fall Fun Rally with other Venturers from all over Area 3, you certainly missed out. A total of 1474 Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers from 19 states across the country came to Beaumont Scout Reservation in St. Louis, Missouri, to celebrate – Venturing style! The 40th year of the Fall Fun Rally doubled as the commemoration of the 15th year of Venturing.

Friday night alone had multiple things going on for Venturers to attend. The Area 3 Sea Scouts had a planning meeting to get input for the Rendezvous in May of 2014, the Greater St. Louis Area Council held officer elections, and then the activities started. The Hunger Games was offered in the field, where 100s of participants played against each other in the hunt to capture the other team's flag. Casino night had youth striving to win money to use for the auction, where they outbid one another. IronMan 3 was shown, and offered a calm alternative for youth to get in touch with their superhero side for the weekend. Participants went to bed ready for the adventure they would encounter the next day.

Saturday was filled with field activities throughout the morning and afternoon. Some of the most popular activities included crate-stacking, volleyball, hamster wheels, slack-lining, the V-box and Squeezebox, and pie-throwing.

Throw in sponge dodgeball, multiple live bands, Sea Scout demonstrations, STEM activities, and a

zombie run, and you might be overloaded with fun already. Of course we can't forget to mention the climbing tower, rifle and shotgun range, COPE course, horseback riding, and mud cave that were offered. All of this fun was happening in conjunction with multiple trainings run by the Area 3 Officers. Many courses were offered to fit the needs of all scouts, and each was beneficial to the development of all involved and the overall future of Venturing. An ILSC/ILSS was also offered on Sunday morning, in which 15 participants learned leadership skills to take back to their home units.

We closed with the Saturday night ceremony, in which the Venturing Idol winner was chosen, new officers were inducted, and other fun things were presented. Our very own Katie Bruton was installed as the new Central Region Boatswain! To end the night, Venturers were encouraged to stay for cake, rootbeer, a dance, and a photobooth.

The Fantastic Fortieth Fall Fun Rally was a real party for everyone involved! With 140 Crews, 6 Ships, 1 Post, and 11 Troops in attendance, it was an excitement fit for all. If you have questions, concerns, or comments that will help us to prepare for next year, please feel free to contact the Area 3 Venturing President at area3president@crventuring.org. We encourage participation by all, and want to fit your requests for our next Fall Fun Rally!

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ORDER FORM

CR Area 3 T-Shirts Coming to YOU!!

All Order Forms/Money must be mailed

by NOVEMBER 11th!

T-Shirt Front Wording:

T-Shirt Color:

Servant

Navy Blue

Leader At Work T-Shirt Back Wording: Serve from the Back Name: _________________________________Council: ______________________ Email Address: ________________________________________________________ Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________ City, ST, ZIP: _________________________________________________________

Shirt Delivery (check one): Nov. 9th Program Conference: ___ Mail Shirt: ____ Jan. 10th Venturing Conference: ___ Small: ____

Medium: ____

Large: ____

XL____

GSLAC VOA Meeting: ___ XXL: ____ XXXL: ____

*Each shirt costs $10 including shipping (add $3 per XXL/XXXL shirt).

Make checks payable to Venturing Crew 2783.

Mail Order Forms to: Area 3 Venturing C/O Amanda Vogt 16041 Forest Valley Dr. Ballwin, MO 63021

Area 3 Venturing President’s Corner Hey Venturers! I hope this newsletter has found you well and busy, fully involved in all that scouting has to offer you! Whether you're a Venturer or Sea Scout, or just preparing to join Venturing, there have been multiple opportunities and events throughout the area in each of our 11 councils. The Central Region Venturing Area 3 Officers have been busy preparing for our Fall Fun Event, the Fantastic Fortieth Fall Fun Rally!

We had tons of what was expected of us – FUN! Check out the Fall Fun Rally article inside this newsletter for all of the information about that.

Wrapping up the Fall Fun Rally, we are continuing to plan our other upcoming events, and we have plenty. The Area 3 Program Conference is about a month away, and the officers have prepared new treks and information sessions for all attendees. The Area 3 Venturing Conference is January 10-11, 2014, and we even have the Sea Scout Rendezvous on May 16-18, 2014, to look forward to!

How could we forget about our webinar series? These are held monthly, and if you haven't found one to join yet, you're missing out. With all these tools at the tips of our hands, webinars make it easy to learn about Venturing and Area 3 from the comfort of your own home. So please, join us for a night and let us share our love for the program.

Once again, there are plenty of things throughout the area to keep us all involved. Venturing is all about the fun we have while interacting with new people, and there's no better way than pairing that with high adventure and leadership! As we transition into autumn, remember what you've done this summer and keep that spirit alive. Nature can be our playground!

I'm always here for your assistance and want to work with you. If you have events you want me to come to, let me know! Send me an email, a Facebook message or post, or say hi at an event. I can't wait to see what the next couple months bring to me and you!

Yours in Venturing, Lizzie Schneider

*Lizzie’s goals for this year can be found at: http://crventuring.org/document2.php?s=1&id=697

Task Force Area 3 Sea Scout Boatswain’s Corner Looking for some fun? There are a lot of activities coming up in the next year that you can certainly get involved with. Up in Mackinaw City, Michigan, there is a 52 foot long sailboat, the Retriever, that was brought down from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The owners of the boat plan to prepare it for Scouts to sail on.

For more information about this opportunity, go to: http://www.michiganscouting.org/camping/ greatlakessailingadventure or email at: http:// www.michiganscouting.org

The Central Region Rendezvous is soon approaching! Some major planning details have been decided so mark your calendars! It will be held May 16-18, 2014 at Camp Illinek on Lake Springfield in Illinois, 90 minutes from the arch. The Rendezvous is like a mini Fall Fun Rally and has many water and land based activities.

After having a fantastic time at the Rendezvous, go to Swift Base! Swift is a summer camp at S Bar F Scout Ranch in Farmington, Missouri. There are three different weeks you can attend, the Aquatics Extravaganza week, Shooting Sports and STEM week, and the Great Outdoors Week. Swift is a summer camp with many activities, including horseback riding, sailing, rock climbing, high and low ropes COPE courses, kayaking, paddle boating, swimming and so many more fun activities. Swift Base is located on Nim's Lake and has access to Huck's Cove. Huck's cove is a mini water park with slides, a water zip line, sling shot, and other activities.

Another thing to do is Sea Scout Experience Advanced Leadership (SEAL) training. It is a great training experience to take a part in. SEAL is a hands training course. This program is a great opportunity for every Sea Scout and you can learn a lot.

If sailing isn't your thing, attend National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) then go to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico and attend National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE). Not only do you get to admire the amazing scenery at Philmont, you get to participate in a memorable leadership experience.

Get involved in Scouting and attend one or more of these amazing opportunities!!

Venturing Webinars CR Area 3 Ve n t u r i n g

Bringing Scouting Resources into Your Own Home

To Join a webinar follow one of the sets of instructions below.

Voice Only (by phone): Dial (559) 546-1200, when asked for a meeting ID enter 176-442-028#.

Once you have entered the webinar please mute your phone by dialing *6. If you want to un-mute your phone dial *6 as well.

Voice/PPT (by internet): Go to http://www.FreeScreenSharing.com/ meetings/176-442-028

Time: 7:00-7:45pm CDT

2013-2014 Webinar Series Schedule: October 15th: Check List for Venturing Success (Council Standards of Venturing Excellence and Venturing Leadership Awards) November 19th: Marketing, Recruiting, and Retaining for Venturing and Sea Scouting December 19th: Venturing Officer Selection Process January 14th: Special Session for Professional Scouters Only February 18th: The New Venturing Part 1– Unit Level Changes March 18th: The New Venturing Part 2– Council through National Changes April 17th: Venturing Trainings/Purpose of Venturing Officers’ Associations May 27th: Open Microphone Month (Send us your Questions)

*Did you miss the latest webinar, “How Venturing Fits into the Scouting Program as a Whole”? No worries! It has been posted on YouTube. See the following link for the presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymf0RgOOJ50

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Area 3 Venturing Committee Area 3 Venturing President Email: Leveringr@aol.com Lizzie Schneider, Greater St. Louis Area Council Email: diabeticliz11@gmail.com TF Area 3 Sea Scout Vice Commodore Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=7 Bob Schmidt, Abraham Lincoln Council Email: blsmitty1@yahoo.com Task Force Area 3 Sea Scout Boatswain Area 3 Associate Advisor - Administration Katie Bruton, Greater St. Louis Area Council Julie Ramsey, Prairielands Council Email: ktsail11@earthlink.net Email: Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=51 Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=147 Area 3 Venturing V.P. of Administration Alex Johar, Greater St. Louis Area Council Area 3 Associate Advisor - Program Email: johar@cbchs.org Amanda Vogt, Greater St. Louis Area Council Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=56 Email: venturingpresident@yahoo.com Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=148 Area 3 Venturing V.P. of Program Rachel Bisch, Greater St. Louis Area Council Area 3 Associate Advisor - Communication Email: rachel.bisch@gmail.com Eric Mircsov, Greater St. Louis Area Council Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=55 Email: eaglescout939@yahoo.com Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=149 Area 3 Venturing V.P. of Communication Maddy Kangas, Prairielands Council Area 3 Northern Cluster Venturing Coordinator Email: maddy.k.716@gmail.com Ina Pearsall, Illowa Council Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=127 Email: Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=52 Area 3 Venturing Advisor/Chair Bob Vogt, Greater St. Louis Area Council Area 3 Central Cluster Venturing Coordinator Email: revogt1@gmail.com John Gunyon, W.D. Boyce Council Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=8 Email: jgunyon@charter.net Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=54 Task Force Area 3 Sea Scout Commodore Bill Hamilton, Greater St. Louis Area Council Area 3 Southern Cluster Venturing Coordinator Email: WHami9@aol.com Dennis Gunderson, Lewis & Clark Council Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=50 Email: dennis28hh@juno.com Scouting Bio: http://crventuring.org/officer_popup.php?ID=53 Task Force Area 3 Sea Scout Trainer David Whitney, Greater St. Louis Area Council Email: David.Whitney@emerson.com TF Area 3 Sea Scout Vice Commodore Lev Reynolds, Lewis & Clark Council

Council Standards of Venturing Excellence Award The main purpose of the Area Venturing Youth Officers and Committee members is to promote council success and to offer resources to councils and local crews. In order to do that we need you to take a few minutes and help us out. The Council Standards of Venturing Excellence is an award designed to be a checklist of best practices for councils to have successful Venturing programs. We need each council to take a few minutes and fill out this form and submit it. Even if you don’t qualify for the award this year, it will give us suggestions of ways to help your council best during this next year. Link for the form: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Venturing/Awards/Excellence.aspx Page 8

E X P E R I E N C E J G B E K

Z S C K S N O A B Q N S A R K

T R R T I R Y X I I N S C U A

S R E O T E Y O R B O S K T Y

C P E H O G F U U Q P O P N A

F L E I I D T E D T P T A E K

M R E O T N T X N P H P C V I

N L D A E W Z U O R T S K D N

M O F V D X N R O W H D I A G

G N I R E E T N E I R O N O L

E F Z M W U R K Y H E Q G F R

F Q E M N V N S D I S V U B U

B T N I W H I G H U A N X Y X

S R T A E S C K Q I B J W O N

F Y T N O M L I H P P C I W C

Looking for a study break? Try your hand at this crossword puzzle! Copy and paste into a document and highlight what you find!

ADVENTURE STEM HIGH

BACKPACKING EXPERIENCE FUN KAYAKING LEADERSHIP

NORTHERN

TIER

ORIENTEERING PHILMONT VENTURING

OPPORTUNITY OUTDOORS

SEA

BASE YOUTH

Area 3 Venturing Facebook Groups Did you know that your council has a Venturing Facebook Group? Many of our councils have developed their own Facebook Groups. Those that did not have one had one established by the Central Region Venturing Communication Committee. They will be serving as the group administrator until a local youth or adult steps forwards to administer the group. The following are the links to each of our council’s Venturing Facebook Groups: Area 3 Venturing Facebook Group:

Lincoln Trails Venturing Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17279505847

http://www.facebook.com/groups/55168864010/

Abraham Lincoln Venturing Facebook Group:

Mississippi Valley Venturing Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44059028761

Greater St. Louis Area Venturing Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48964223809

Hawkeye Area Venturing Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2246395863

Illowa Venturing Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51644697397

Lewis & Clark Venturing Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129355675712

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119055695511

Northeast Iowa Venturing Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60552383208

Prairielands Venturing Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/55303044593/

W. D. Boyce Venturing Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8316386849

Winnebago Venturing Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/61890416839/

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